There was something else beneath it. The letter took longer to write than it should have. We both know this. Do not follow me.
This is better for both of us. Two other ones, actually. Octavia didn’t reply immediately. I certainly do not care that he is getting married to Lady Emmeline of all people.
She would walk into that ballroom and show him exactly what he had lost. No one. She could not tell them the truth. Because, she said carefully, it is no one’s business but ours.
He said immediately. The ballroom was exactly as she remembered it. Someone else added. Each step measured, assured.
Had not considered her at all. And how long have you two known each other? Chapter two. Come along, both of you.
You should listen to your mother. Because this was her fault. All of it. No, sweetheart.
“And you didn’t think to tell me? ” “And I would have done all of that, too, if I’d known they existed. ” The admission hung in the air between them. The words were fierce, certain, absolute.
“Do you understand? “May I come in? ” Then he knelt down, brought himself to their eye level. Then Nilo walked into Lionel’s arms.
That first afternoon she had stayed in the room while Lionel knelt on the floor with Nilo, showing him something with his hands. But only if I promised to listen. And he said I was a natural. Because she remembered being exactly where Nilo was now, trailing Lionel with her eyes.
And then she had walked into that room. It still did not make sense. And because she had never understood how he could be both her mate and the betrayer, she did not know what to trust. He was just with them, present, completely focused on the two small people currently destroying his composure, and clearly delighting in it.
He set Cora down gently, and she immediately demanded he do it again. If I had known, I would have come immediately. Lionel’s eyes flickered to Octavia for just a moment before returning to Cora. “But it’s not because I didn’t want you.
And through all of it, there were small things between Lionel and Octavia. As though his first instinct was still to share it with her. But not always fast enough. It still did.
You can write to him. That’s not the same. That’s not the same at all. Why can’t we stay here?
Why can’t we stay? What exactly do you imagine happens after that? But I need you to understand. She could not let him rewrite history.
Because what if it had been her fault? She did not know who moved first. To break things off first. He owed it to Emmeline to break up with her before sleeping with someone else.
But he had not owed Octavia the same courtesy. Forcing the sobs back down her throat through sheer willpower while her other hand fumbled with the door handle. If they heard her crying, they would come to check on her. She would not do that to them.
No. Both of you. Cora, that’s enough. Can’t we stay?
Cora, enough. Lionel’s face went blank with shock. She could not do this in front of them. The twins looked between their parents, then slowly, reluctantly, left.
After the door closed with a soft click, Octavia and Lionel stared at each other across the room. What else was I supposed to do? For a long moment he did not move. Finally learning I was pregnant only to find you with another woman because you stopped believing I could?
And then I walked into that room. Octavia, I never slept with anyone else. Absolute crushing silence. Should I have fought for you?
Should I have provoked your lover into a duel? Would that have been the proper protocol? I didn’t before. I should have I won’t have you lie and charm your way into my children’s hearts like you did mine only to break them later.
Which was not much at all. I don’t understand her. Not only is this castle bigger than Aunt Lori’s, but Mommy clearly loves Daddy still. Agreed on both counts.
If we were all a family again. Blank. Court is no place for you, that’s all. Their father’s face fell, not in disappointment, in something else.
I No, I did not! Her father kneeling down to their level just days ago, his eyes bright and sincere as he told them about their mother, how much he missed her, how he had never stopped loving her, not for a single day. It was his first shift. No!
Sweetheart, I don’t understand. She stopped trying to understand and just ran, following her son through corridors she barely recognized, down a stone staircase, through a heavy door into passages she had never seen before. The particular sweetness of her daughter’s skin mixed with fear. If someone had hurt her daughter, the passage opened into a long gallery lined with cells.
If she could just change, just become wolf, she could break these chains. Such a shame you couldn’t stay gone. No choice? You tell your brother to stay away from my son.
Not for long. He’d want to check. Tell him harshly enough that you want to leave. He’ll do whatever you ask if you cry prettily enough.
The next her features were rippling, shifting, reforming into someone else. Enough. Shifters who could not turn into animals, but into other human beings. Who had pulled her into these passages.
Then all at once. Because they were not the same person. Octavia said, her voice blank with shock. Emmeline said simply.
While you were impersonating him. Couldn’t risk him waking up before you were long gone. I told him I was all right with him never forgetting you. Not before you agree to help me.
Never. Stay away from him. Emmeline’s voice rose for the first time, losing some of its careful control. No, I don’t.
She could not let this woman anywhere near her mate. Octavia whispered, though she had no idea if that was true. Octavia pulled both children into her arms. Both of you?
“But first, I need to get you both out of here. Octavia looked between them. Both children nodded. Do you understand?
” She showed them the trapdoor hidden beneath the altar cloth, watched them climb down into the tunnel below. “If I’m not back, you run. Come with me immediately. No, that’s not” Nilo in wolf form launched himself at the king, small teeth sinking into his arm.
The king yelped, a sound that was not Lionel’s voice at all. “These two are changelings. ” Nilo, still in wolf form, made an agreeing huff. And I should have known.
Recognition dawned like sunrise, slow, then all at once. The baby kicked as if in response. Ivar had shown no remorse at all. Most days she succeeded.
Some nights they still woke reaching for each other, needing the reassurance of touch, of presence. They had a home that was whole instead of fractured. That was enough for them.
They both felt it.
